Improved design of nuclear fuel element for square mesh spacers

摘要

A nuclear reactor fuel element having a novel design for preventing sideways movement of the fuel rods. Each fuel rod (8) extends between a series of longitudinally arranged spacers along the axial length of the fuel element. The device for holding a fuel rod in place is inserted at one or more fuel elements spacers. It comprises a circular upper and lower housing (10,11) arranged around an individual fuel rod. Two metal plate stiffeners (12), at 90 deg to each other, are joined by their edges to the upper and lower housings, to maintain them at the correct vertical interval. At the other two 90 deg intervals are fixed two leaf spring arrangements (14,17) to support the rod.